Cavite 4th District Representative Kiko Barzaga on Thursday, January 22, urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) to dismiss the charges filed against him by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation Group (PNP-CIDG).
Barzaga is facing accusations of inciting to sedition and organizing a protest rally in Makati City without a permit.
In his counter-affidavits, Barzaga explained to reporters that he had filed responses to two separate cases.
“I filed counter-affidavits to two separate cases. One is relating to my statements on Mindanao secession and the second is about the Forbes Park October 12 protest,” he said.
In October last year, Barzaga posted a video on Facebook expressing support for Mindanao’s secession and later joined an anti-Marcos protest rally in Forbes Park subdivision, Makati City. He defended his actions as part of his constitutional rights.
He said he defended his actions as “exercise of free speech.”
Barzaga emphasized that the protest was peaceful and did not result in disorder.
He pointed out that “the lack of any notable instances of violence during the protest means there’s no reason to believe there’s criminal intent or any disorder.”
He added that his legal team is prepared should the charges proceed to court.
He said that if the charges are filed before the courts, “we already have prepared our legal defense.”
Apart from the sedition and protest-related charges, Barzaga is also facing cyber libel complaints. Two of these were filed separately by Antipolo City 1st District Representative Ronnie Puno and businessman Enrique Razon.
The DOJ is expected to review the counter-affidavits before deciding whether the cases will move forward.